Dale Barth

Monday, March 28, 2016 5:28 pm

Dale Barth, 87, of Decorah, died Wednesday, March 23, 2016, at Aase Haugen Senior Services, Decorah. Services are at 11 a.m., Tuesday, March. 29, at First Lutheran Church in Decorah, with Rev. Chad Huebner officiating. Organist is Marcia Engebretson. Hymns are “Amazing Grace,” “How Great Thou Art” and “Here I Am Lord.” Interment is in Locust Cemetery, Decorah, at a later date. Honorary casket bearers are all of Dale’s grandchildren. Arrangements are being handled by Schluter – Balik Funeral Home, Decorah.

Dale Frankie Barth was born Oct. 22, 1928, the son of Frankie and Bessie (Bender) Barth on the farm near Decorah. He was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Locust. Dale attended Knoke country school and graduated from Decorah High School in 1944. He was united in marriage to Norma Hovey; they later divorced. He farmed the family farm, then he ran the Locust store. Dale then worked for Farm Service for two years. In 1963, he became the manager of the Cliff House Motel and Restaurant until his retirement in 2002. Dale was married to Audrey (Westby) Nygaard Aug. 1, 1980, at the First Lutheran Church in Decorah. Dale enjoyed golfing, playing Euchre at the VFW, fishing and going to his grandchildren’s sporting events. He especially loved ice cream and pinwheels.

Dale is survived by his wife, Audrey Barth, Decorah; three children: Janeen (Chuck) Hedke, Trenton, Neb.; David (Cathey) Barth, Robins; and Daniel (Tammy) Barth, Cedar Falls; two step-children, Scott (Terri) Nygaard, Brooklyn Park, Minn. and Jill (Scott) Bolson, Decorah; 15 grandchildren: John (Lori) McKernan, Jackie (Robert) Sanford, Adam Barth, Sarah (Travis) Hagensick, Samantha (Jack) Larkins, Alexis (Taylor) Volker, Ashley Barth, Jackson Barth, Destyn Bonelli, Hanna Bonelli, Andrew Bonelli, Abby Bolson, Zoe Nygaard, Paige Nygaard and Avery Nygaard; 12 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews; three sisters-in-law: Arlene Westby, Decorah; Eunice (Bob) Denk, Decorah; and Barbara (William) Radke, Wabasha, Minn.; two brothers-in-law, Gordon (Peggy) Westby, Canyon Lake, Calif. and Lyle (Jackie) Westby, Waukon.

Dale was preceded in death by his daughter, in infancy; his parents, Frankie and Bessie (Bender) Barth; one sister, Virginia (Kenneth) Moen; one sister-in-law, Ethel (Wesley) Brandt; four brothers-in-law: Roger Westby, Kenneth (Ruth) Westby, Arden Westby and Jack Schissel.